Security Breach: Assault on Shi’ite Mosque in Oman Claims Lives
Terror attack shook Oman.
Wadi Al-Kabir Image credits- Al Jazeera
July 16, Officials said on Tuesday that nine people—four of whom were Pakistanis and one of whom was Indian—were killed and at least 28 injured in a shooting that happened close to a Shi’ite mosque in Muscat, the capital of Oman. The oil-pumping royal state is well-reputed for its religious tolerance, but this occurrence represents an unpredictable attack.
The shooting happened at the Imam Ali Mosque, also known as the Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque, in Muscat, the Omani capital’s Wadi al-Kabir neighbourhood.
The incident happened during Ashura, a yearly time of sorrow for Shi’ite Muslims that honours the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, in the seventh century.
In several Middle Eastern nations, Ashura has occasionally led to confrontations between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims; however, this has not usually happened in Oman, since the Ibadi sect encourages tolerance.
Authorities have not disclosed if they have found the motive behind the attack or whether they have made any arrests. Furthermore, the assailants’ identities have not been made public.
Regarding the unexpected event, the Royal Oman Police has made a statement, the released statement is present over their X handle follow-up link- شرطة عُمان السلطانية on X: “Statement on the concluding of the procedures for dealing with the shooting incident in the Al-Wadi Al-Kabir area.. https://t.co/MgGEl8nrf6” / X
The Royal Sultanate has a Sunni and Ibadi majority population, Ibadi belongs to a branch of Islam that has much in common with Sunnism, while Shiite Muslims are a minority, Still, Muscat is well known for its religious diversity and religious tolerance.
Visuals of the attack by the assailants have been surfacing over the internet, to watch the visuals follow the link –
The Omani government affirmed the protection of its residents, said that the attackers have been successfully neutralized, and announced the launch of an investigation to determine the attack’s motivation and other specifics.
The four Pakistanis who were murdered have been identified as Ghulam Abbas, Hasan Abbas, Sayyed Qaisar Abbas, and Sulaiman Nawaz by the Pakistani consulate in Muscat. Additionally, it stated that thirty Pakistanis were being treated in a hospital.
Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, expressed his “deep grief” over the incident and added that his “heart goes out to the families of the victims”.
“I have instructed the Pakistan embassy in Muscat to extend all possible assistance to the injured and visit the hospitals personally,” he posted to X. “Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Sultanate of Oman and offers full assistance in the investigation”.
The follow-up link for the statement of Prime Minister- Shehbaz Sharif on X: “Deeply saddened by the terrorist attack on Imam Bargah Ali bin Abu Talib in Muscat, Oman, resulting in the loss of precious lives, including 4 Pakistani nationals. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. I have instructed the Pakistan Embassy in Muscat to extend all” / X
“We have never seen anything like this in Oman’s history,” Pakistan’s ambassador to Muscat, Imran Ali, said, thanking the medical professionals and law enforcement for their efforts.
According to him, the majority of the thirty victims were receiving treatment for gunshot wounds, but some had sustained injuries from running away from the attack, such as being crushed in the stampede.
While escaping the attack, several Pakistanis were arrested by the authorities and later freed, while others stayed in custody, according to Ali. He also stated that he was not aware of any arrests or if the attack’s motivation had been determined.
Following the shooting, the US Embassy in Muscat issued a security alert and cancelled all visa appointments for Tuesday.
Undoubtedly, instances such as these have undermined religious unity throughout the region and damaged Oman’s reputation as a peaceful nation in somewhat way.
Team Profile
- News Writer
- Mohammad Kaif Zaidi is a student of MA Mass Communication and Journalism at Aligarh Muslim University. His background is strongly backed by his previous experience in the vibrant spectrum of mass communication and journalism. He possesses a creative and technical personality with a robust approach towards his work.
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